Lead Specialist - Process Chemistry

JOB PURPOSE:
The function of the Lead Specialist – Process Chemistry is to formulate and lead fundamental or applied research and development projects directed towards enhancing or optimising the production of alumina from bauxite and/or facilitating the utilization of bauxite residue at EGA’s Al Taweelah Alumina (ATA) Refinery.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Policies, Process & Procedures

  • Develops, oversees, and supports the implementation of functional policies, systems, processes, procedures and controls covering the utilisation of BxR and other alumina-refining wastes, and the implementation of novel alumina refining processes, so that all relevant procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering a quality, cost-effective service in a consistent manner.

• Budgets

  • Prepares and recommends budget items for and in support of the Process Development Program (PDP) in the BxR Research & Development Group by analysing and collating/organizing relevant cost data, as well as preparing project initiation proposals, under general direction from the Senior Manager Bauxite Residue PD or the Director Bauxite Residue R&D.

  • Monitors the financial performance of the PDP against budgets so that areas of unsatisfactory performance are (i) identified and rectified promptly and (ii) potential performance improvement opportunities are capitalized upon in a timely fashion.

• Day-to-Day Operations

  • The Lead Specialist Process Chemistry, under general direction from the Senior Manager Bauxite Residue PD or the Director Bauxite Residue R&D, leads or performs research and development work involving performance of assignments which may involve planning and directing certain phases of research projects. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

    • Integrates resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions, and other outcomes.

    • Liaises with alumina refinery operations and technical personnel, technology providers, equipment suppliers, local and international research organisations and regulatory bodies to ensure viable, compliant opportunities are identified, researched and developed for the use of bauxite residue products.

    • Liaises with Alumina Refinery operations & technical management teams to ensure that the developed programs for refining processes or BxR use are consistent with/realizable within the technical and operational performance of the refinery.

• Research & Development Key Accountabilities

  • Provides research expertise within fundamental and applied chemistry to develop new or improved products, materials or processes within the bauxite/alumina value chain, including the utilisation of waste materials such as bauxite residue. Develops and implements R&D strategies for the PDP in consultation with Senior Manager Bauxite Residue PD and Director Bauxite Residue R&D.

  • Develops, oversees and conducts various laboratory tests, experiments and field/refinery trials. Performs complex analysis, interpretation and examination of collected data and observations.

  • Defines, initiates, and conducts research projects requiring creativity, foresight, and judgment. Performs laboratory and field/refinery trials to develop novel or enhanced processing technologies or lead to BxR products using resources available in the region. Actively manages these projects to ensure timely and cost-effective outcomes.

  • Compiles, analyses, interprets, and reviews complex data and metadata from internal and external research programs and delivers these as fully documented scientific reports with actionable outcomes or recommendations as directed. Collects or directs sample collections, performs analysis on samples, and extracts measurement data from experiments. Implements and maintains data collection and summaries of all experimental work.

  • Develops, reviews, revises, and audits research or analytical protocols and assures compliance with all required or legislated safety standards.

  • Identifies target applications or markets for BxR products based on the product attributes.

  • Collaborates with engineering resources within the BxR R&D group or refinery to develop pilot plant facilities or refinery trials to validate laboratory outcomes. Provide technical expertise and guidance in support of commercial/full-scale application.

  • Oversees and actively manages trials in the refinery or pilot plants to (i) evaluate performance of processes and products under real-world operating conditions and (ii) to optimize BxR product application strategies.

  • Ensures that full environmental, health and safety impact assessments of BxR products are completed, including long-term and end-user assessments.

  • Assists with the financial impact assessment of identified solutions at various stages of development.

  • Assists Senior Manager Bauxite Residue PD or Director Bauxite Residue R&D with the planning and direction of specific phases of research programs.

• Knowledge Management

  • Supports the BxR R&D Group central repository and the dissemination of knowledge for R&D purposes, including strategies under which such knowledge is gathered and/or made available in compliance with all applicable confidentiality policies and requirements.

  • Develops and maintains training materials for internal and external users. Trains and upskills BxR R&D group members or others in research methodologies, data interpretation, and specialised analytical equipment and procedures.

• Communication & Networking

  • Contributes to an effective coordination and communication of information with internal and external entities (such as EGA business units, vendors, suppliers, contractors, service providers, etc.) to the highest standards of business ethics, in order to ensure the services required by EGA are delivered in the most effective manner.

  • Where necessary and as directed by Senior Manager Bauxite Residue PD or Director Bauxite Residue R&D, represents EGA in technological forums, associations, research establishments and communities, and government bodies and ensures that EGA’s interests are protected and projected in a positive manner.

  • May attend local, national, and international meetings and conferences.

• People Management

  • Directly supervises the activities and work of subordinates during R&D phases and commercial-scale projects to ensure all work is carried out in an efficient manner, and in accordance with set individual targets and protocols.

• Continuous Improvement

  • Contributes to the management and revision of set procedures to optimize productivity.

  • Manages change through frequent/periodic improvement of all related R&D initiatives, systems, processes and practices considering ‘international best practice’, changes in national and international standards, and changes in the business environment which may demand proactive action plans.

  • May attend local, national, and international meetings and conferences.

• Safety, Quality & Environment

  • Ensures compliance with all relevant EGA safety, quality and environmental management policies, procedures and controls across the BxR R&D group in order to uphold employee safety, legislative compliance and a responsible environmental attitude.

  • Ensures that full environmental, health and safety impact assessments of BxR products are completed, including long-term and end-user assessments.

• Related Assignments

  • Performs other related duties or assignments as directed.

AUTHORITY/ DECISION MAKING:

• Guidelines (Problem Solving: Freedom to Think & Thinking Challenge):

  • Defines and implements process development strategies and projects within clearly defined policies and objectives. Uses sound judgement to choose effective options and technology solutions.

  • Draws and validates conclusions based on the outcomes of test programs as part of the Process Development Program.

  • Monitors, evaluates and analyses the impacts of research outcomes, emerging technologies, changes to local and international environmental legislation and policies, company objectives and other relevant external factors. Adapts process development programs and strategies as required to meet changing requirements, subject to approval by the Senior Manager BxR PD or Director Bauxite Residue R&D.

  • Supports the Bauxite Residue R&D cost centres and applicable CAPEX budgets by recommending items for budget inclusion; monitors and manages expenditure in areas of accountability including internal and external research projects.

• Decision Making (Freedom to Act):

  • Direct and controlling impact on end results for proof-of-concept work, processing strategies, pilot plant designs. Shared direct impact on strategic goals of PDP BxR R&D and refinery (pilot plants, refinery processes).

  • Accountable for development and conduct of action plans and activities within the scope of the Process Development Program.

  • Acts within the policies, standards and practices of the Technology Development and Transfer Department, Al Taweelah Alumina refinery and that of affected stakeholders.

  • Implements changes to the execution of laboratory experiments, analytical procedures and field/refinery trials to overcome problems and ensures objectives are met.

  • Liaises, collaborates and seeks input with all relevant EGA personnel (EHS, ATA Refinery, etc) to ensure activities are accepted by internal and external stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Minimum Qualifications:

  • PhD in Chemistry, Material Science, Physics, Process Science or other related field.

• Minimum Experience:

  • 5 years active research experience in fields of chemistry, material science, physics and/or process science or chemical engineering. Specialization in one or more of the following: spectroscopy, diffraction, surface chemistry, mineralogy, physical and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, statistics in research.

  • Demonstrated understanding of experimental design and statistics as applied to process chemistry and the physical and chemical origins of materials behaviour, including the use of statistical software packages (e.g., SAS, MATLAB, R-project).

  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft 365 specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, PowerBI, Teams, Sharepoint.

• Skills:

  • Pro-active, independent problem solving; self-motivated.

  • Ability to deliver sophisticated products and solutions within a complex environment.

  • Project & Facilities Management Skills.

  • Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills in a Multi-Cultural Work Environment.

  • Experience in Coaching and Mentoring.

  • Aptitude for effective teamwork and managing teams for high performance.

  • Language skills: mandatory excellent and demonstrated written and verbal English skills; useful but not required: Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Filipino and/or Arabic.